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Keith Urban gave Nashville music fans an unexpected treat Monday night (Aug. 17), joining the action at Chief’s on Broadway for The Smitty Corporate Band Challenge, an annual music competition benefiting the W.O. Smith Music School.
Urban, a longtime supporter of the school, surprised the crowd by performing during the event, which brings together Nashville’s music and entertainment industries to raise money for music education for low-income children.
“So many kids are naturally gifted, but they need the next level of guidance and help, and a lot of them can’t get that,” Urban said. “What W.O. Smith does for them, you can’t quantify that.”
The event raised an impressive $77,500 for the W.O. Smith Music School, with five corporate bands battling it out for bragging rights — and a massive nine-foot trophy.
Representing some of Nashville’s biggest music and entertainment companies were Gross Potential from UTA, The Nashville Bards from CAA, Monkey Business from 800 Pound Gorilla Media, Business as Usual from Concord and RJ & The Steps from WME.
The bands were judged on musical talent, stage presence and audience engagement, with CAA’s The Nashville Bards ultimately taking home the first-place title and the coveted nine-foot trophy.
“It takes the community coming together to make our mission a reality for students,” said Dr. Valerie Cordero, Executive Director of W.O. Smith Music School. “We owe the success of this year’s band challenge to the bands, our sponsors and Keith Urban. With the help of the funds raised last night, we can serve hundreds of talented and deserving low-income children.”
Presented by Live Nation, proceeds from the annual event help ensure Nashville students have access to music lessons, instruments and summer camps.
For Urban, the night was about more than a surprise performance. His longtime connection to W.O. Smith reflects his belief that talented young musicians deserve the opportunity to develop their gifts — regardless of their financial circumstances.
And in true Nashville fashion, the city’s music community once again came together to make sure the next generation gets its chance to make some noise.
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